Automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

Fluid flow through a nozzle body is controlled by a valve having a stem slidably mounted in the body. When a lever, which has one end pivotally and slidably connected to a plunger that is slidably mounted in the body and its other end pivotally connected to a handle, is moved by the handle, the lever engages the bottom of the stem to open the valve. When a container, which is being filled by the nozzle, becomes filled, the plunger, which has been latched, is released so that a spring acting on the valve causes the stem, which has its lower end engaging the lever, to move the lever about its pivotal connection to the handle so that the valve moves to its closed position. The handle may be held in a valve open position by a trigger, which is pivotally connected to the handle at its pivotal connection to the lever.

United States Patent Boudot et al.

[ 51 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF DISPENSING NOZZLE [72]Inventors: William Donald Boudot; Chester W.

Wood; Charles A. Holder, all of Cincinnati, Ohio [73] Assignee: DoverCorporation, Cincinnati, Ohio [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1969 [21] Appl.No.:882,028

[52] U.S.Cl ..l41/208, 141/225 [51] Int. Cl ..B67d 5/375 [58] FieldofSearch ..222/566,568; 251/214; 141/ 192-229 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,504,450 4/1950 Rhodes ..141/213 2,528,69711/1950 Logan et al. ..14l/209 2,595,166 4/1952 Rhodes ..141/2092,686,626 8/1954 Slattery ..141/225 2,811,180 10/1957 Zaugg et al...141/209 3,088,500 5/1963 Payne ..141/208 3,370,623 2/1968 Murray141/209 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 55,183 9/1943 Netherlands141/224 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney1(inney and Schenk[57] ABSTRACT Fluid flow through a nozzle body is controlled by a valvehaving a stem slidably mounted in the body. When a lever, which has oneend pivotally and slidably connected to a plunger that is slidablymounted in the body and its other end pivotally con nected to a handle,is moved by the handle, the lever engages the bottom of the stem to openthe valve. When a container, which is being filled by the nozzle,becomes filled, the plunger, which has been latched, is released so thata spring acting on the valve causes the stem, which has its lower endengaging the lever, to move the lever about its pivotal connection tothe handle so that the valve moves to its closed position. The bandlemay be held in a valve open position by a trigger, which is pivotallyconnected to the handle at its pivotal connection to the lever.

25 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures Patented April 4, 1972 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1W. DONALD BOUDOT CHESTER W. WOOD CHARLE A H LD av 2w ATTORNEYS PatentedApril 4, 1972 7 Sheets-Sheet z FIG.4

INVENTORS W. DONALD BOUDOT CHESTER W. WOOD BY OHARLEj} HOLDEjR ATTORNEYSWFIG.6

Patented A ril 4, 1972 3,653,415

INVENTORS w. DONALD aouooT CHESTER w. wooo CHARLES LE ATTORNEYS PatentedApril 4, 1972 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

q ""rvnpannpplppapanu l R T E mmwn WW w 1. v wA mw A NEE wm w m WCC Y B3 G F ATTORNEYS Patented April 4, 1972 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGJS INVENTORSW. DONALD BOUDOT CHESTER w. wooo CHARLES A. H DER ATTORNEYS PatentedApril 4, 1972 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS w. DONALD BOUDOT CHESTER w. woo

CHARLES A. BY

ATTORNEYS Patented April 4, 1972 FIGJB 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS W.DONALD BOUDOT CHESTER W. WOOD A BY C H RLEgA DE TTORNEYS AUTOMATICSHUT-OFF DISPENSING NOZZLE In fuel nozzles, it is desired toautomatically stop the flow of fuel to a vehicle tank, which is beingfilled, when it is full to prevent the loss of fuel. This enables theattendant to perform other functions such as checking the oil, forexample, while the tankis being filled.

Various types of automatic shut-off nozzles have previously beensuggested. However, because of the friction of various portions of thevalve moving elements of the shut-off mechanism, the shut-off valves ofthe previously suggested nozzles have failed to close in some instanceswhen the vehicle tank becomes filled. As a result, fuel is lost, and thecustomer is unhappy if he has to pay for it. If the station absorbs theloss, it reduces the profits. Furthermore, it is difficult to ascertainthe amount of fuel lost in these situations. Fuel losses also contributeto air pollution and the present invention therefore helps to preventthis undesirable occurrence.

In one previously suggested automatic shut-off nozzle, the valve stemhas passed through an opening in a handle and engaged a lever, which hasone end pivotally mounted on the handle. In this previously suggestednozzle, the handle has been pivotally connected to the body at its endremote from its gripping portion, and the other end of the lever hasbeen releasably supported on a rocking arm, which is movable to a leverreleasing position when the vehicle tank becomes filled.

Additionally, the previously suggested nozzle requires an additionalsupport in the body for the lever to limit the movement of the leverwhen it ceases to be supported by the rocking arm. This increases thecost of the nozzle.

Furthermore, by using a releasable connection between the rocking armand the lever, the possibility exists that the lever may not always beproperly seated on the rocking arm. As a result, shut-off of fuel flowmay occur before the vehicle tank is filled.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems byproviding a positive and continuous connection between a lower lever andlatch plunger, which is released from a position in which it retains thelower lever to hold the valve open when the vehicle tank is full. Thelower portion of the valve stem is guided by means, which is mounted ona bandle. As a result, the lower portion of the valve stem is guidedwith a minimum offriction.

In the present invention, the pivotal connection of the handle to thebody is eliminated. Instead, it is only necessary to pivotallyconnectthe handle to the lower lever, which has a portion that engages thevalve stem to open the valve when the handle is moved. Thus, a lessexpensive and less complicated arrangement is utilized.

It also has been previously suggested to use a device to hold a valveactuating handle in an open position during filling of a vehicle tank.The previously suggested holding devices have required the attendant toemploy both hands to properly position the handle holding means. As aresult, it has been difficult for the attendant to lock the handle inthe desired position while still holding the license plate holder, forexample, out of the way of the nozzle during insertion of the nozzleinto the filler pipe of the vehicle tank.

In the present invention, a trigger, which may be operated by theattendant with the same hand as moves the handle to a valve openingposition, holds the handle in a valve open position. Thegtrigger doesnot affect the movement of the lower lever by the valve spring when thevehicle tank is filled. Thus, even if the trigger should fail to releasefrom its retaining means, this does not have any effect on the valvemoving to its closed position to prevent further fuel flow to thevehicle tank.

By connecting the latch plunger to the lower lever rather than to thehandle as some previously suggested automatic shut-off nozzles did inwhich a lower lever was not used, there is eliminated any side force onthe plunger due to the handle. As a result, when the tank is filled andthe latch plunger locking retaining means is released, the latch plungermay easily move since there is no side force acting on the plunger toretard its movement. This enables a smaller force to be used for movingthe plunger.

With an automatic shut-off fuel nozzle, the possibility exists that theattendant may fail to remove the nozzle from the vehicle after the tankis filled. As a result, the driver of the vehicle may move the vehiclewith the spout of the nozzle still disposed in the vehicle tank. Withpreviously available fuel nozzles, this has resulted in the pumppossibly being removed from its pedestal due to the force upon thenozzle. If this should occur, a fire hazard could be created.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problem byproviding a spout that may be broken away from its body whenever apredetermined force is exerted thereon such as the force when a vehiclemoves with the spout of the nozzle still in the vehicle tank. Thus, thepresent invention reduces the possibility of the dispensing pump beingdamaged thereby minimizing the possibility of a fire hazard.

In the past, the spout has been surrounded by a spring having a circularcross section. The spring is used to position the spout within thevehicle tank filler pipe. The circular cross section has provided arelatively small contact area with the filler pipe.

The present invention provides an improved spring for use with a spoutof a fuel nozzle. The present invention employs a spring having a squarecross section to increase the contact area with the filler pipe of thevehicle tank.

An object of the invention is to provide an automatic shutoff nozzlehaving a relatively friction-free valve actuating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic shut-offdispensing nozzle in which only one hand of the attendant is required toposition the handle in a valve open position for automatic shut-off uponfilling of the tank.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluid nozzle havingits spout connected to the body so that it may be broken away withoutdamage to any of the rest of the nozzle when a predetermined force isexerted on the spout.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upona reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to thedrawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the nozzle of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the break away connectionof the spout to the nozzle body.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the nozzle body andshowing a sealing arrangement between the body and a cap and a fenderguard mounted thereon.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, of the valvestem and one form of the actuating mechanism therefor.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, partly in plan, of a portion of thestructure of FIG. 4 and taken along line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a guide for the lower portion ofthe valve stem.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the guide of FIG. 6 and taken alongline 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, ofthe lower end of the valve stem.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view showing the handle held in theposition of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an exploded elevational view of the valve actuating mechanismof FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of the valve actuating mechanismof FIG. 4 in the position in which the handle is retained in a valveopen position.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevational view, similar to FIG. 11, but showingthe valve moved to a closed position due to release of the latch plungerand the handle retaining means released.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged elevational view, similar to FIGS. 11 and 12, butshowing the handle returned to its inactive position with the valvestill in its closed position and the latch plunger returned to itslocked position.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, of the valvestem and another embodiment of the actuating mechanism therefor.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view, partly in plan, of a portion of thestructure of FIG. 14 and taken along line 1515 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational view showing the handle held in theposition of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an exploded elevational view of the valve actuating mechanismof FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged elevational view of the valve actuating mechanismof FIG. 14 in the position in which the handle is retained in the valveopen position.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged elevational view, similar to FIG. 18, but showingthe valve moved to a closed position due to release of the latch plungerand the handle retaining means released.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged elevational view, similar to FIGS. 18 and 19, butshowing the handle returned to its inactive position with the valvestill in its closed position and the latch plunger returned to itslocked position.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown anozzle body having an inlet 11 to which a hose is connected to supplyfluid to the body 10 and an outlet 12 to which a spout 14 is connectedfor dispensing the fluid to a container. The spout 14 has a spring 13ofsquare cross section thereon to contact the tiller pipe of thecontainer being filled.

The body 10 has a valve 15 supported therein for controlling the flow offluid through the body 10 from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12. A spring16 continuously urges the valve 15 to its closed position.

A stem 17 is connected to the valve 15 and has its lower portionextending exterior of the body 10 and slidably disposed within the body10. The valve stem 17 passes through the body 10 but not in contacttherewith due to a guide 18 (see FIG. 4) disposed between the stem 17and the body 10 and in surrounding relation to the stem 17. The guide 18is formed of a suitable plastic material such as acetal resin, forexample. This material has a relatively low coefficient of friction thatminimizes the sliding friction between the stem 17 and the body 10. Theguide 18 also eliminates wear on the stem 17 so as to not affect thesliding action ofthe stem 17.

Fluid cannot flow from the body 10 to the exterior thereof through thepassage in the body 10 for the stem 17 due to a packing 19 (see FIG. 4),which is disposed in surrounding relation to the stem 17. A gland 20 isdisposed above the packing l9 and has a spring 21 acting thereon. Aretainer 22 acts against the spring 21 and retains the packing 19 in aposition to prevent any leakage of fluid from the body 10 through thepassage for the stem 17.

A spout adapter 23 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the outlet 12 of thebody 10. The spout adapter 23, which has the spout 14 threaded in itsend, is fixed to the body 10 by a screw 24 (see FIG. 2). The screw 24may preferably be formed of a material that will break or shear whensubjected to a predetermined force. Thus, if the spout 14 should beretained in a vehicle tank when the vehicle is moved, the screw 24breaks or shears and allows the spout adapter 23 to be pulled from thebody 10 without any damage to the body 10 or to the pump to which thebody is connected by a hose.

Sealing rings 25 and 26 are disposed between the spout adapter 23 andthe body 10. Thus, fluid cannot escape between the body 10 and the spoutadapter 23.

A poppet valve 27 is slidably mounted on the spout adapter 23 and iscontinuously urged into engagement with a seating ring 28, which isthreaded on the spout adapter 23 and has the sealing ring 26 cooperatingtherewith, by a spring 29. Thus, only the pressure of the fuel flowingfrom the inlet 11 and past the valve 15 can overcome the spring 29 andmove the poppet valve 27 to an open position.

As the fuel flows between the poppet valve 27 and the seating ring 28,venturi effect is created in a passage 30 in the seating ring 28. Thepassage 30 communicates through a passage 31 in the body 10, an openingin a diaphragm 32, and a passage 33 in a cap 34 to a chamber 35, whichif formed between the diaphragm 32 and the cap 34.

The passage 31 also communicates with a tube 36, which is connected withan opening 37 in the spout 14 adjacent the discharge end of the spout14. The tube 36 communicates with the passage 33 through a passage 38 inthe spout adapter 23 and a passage 39, which is formed between the spoutadapter 23 and the body 10.

Accordingly, as long as the opening 37 is not closed due to the fuelwithin the tank reaching a predetermined level that indicates that thetank is filled, the venturi effect created by the flow of the fluidbetween the seat ring 28 and the poppet valve 27 draws air through tube36. However, as soon as the opening 37 is blocked, the chamber 35 hasits pressure reduced due to the air therein being drawn therefrombecause of the venturi effect in the passage 30 whereby the diaphragm 32moves upwardly. This venturi effect is more particularly described inU.S. Pat. No. 3,085,600 to Briede.

The diaphragm 32 and the cap 34 are secured to the body 10 by screws 40.Thus, the diaphragm 32 is held between the body 10 and the cap 34 toform the chamber 35.

The diaphragm 32 has a latch retaining pin 41 secured thereto formovement therewith and disposed between three balls 42, which arepositioned within passages in a latch plunger 43. When the retaining pin41 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the balls 42 prevent downwardmovement of the plunger 43, which is slidably mounted within the body10.

When the diaphragm 32 is moved upwardly due to the tank being filled,the retaining pin 41 is moved upwardly therewith. The upward movement ofthe retaining pin 41 disposes a tapered portion of the retaining pin 41between the balls 42 whereby the balls 42 may move inwardly to allow theplunger 43 to be moved downwardly against the force of its spring 44.The correlation between the tapered portion of the pin 41 and the latchplunger 43 is more specifically shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,195 toDuerr.

The lower end of the plunger 43 is connected to a lower lever 45 (seeFIG. 4) by a pin 46. The pin 46, which is secured to the plunger 43,extends through slots 47 and 48 in bifurcated portions 49 and of thelower lever to provide a pin and slot connection between the plunger 43and the lower lever 45. Thus, the lower lever 45 can both pivot andslide relative to the latch plunger 43.

The bifurcated portions 49 and 50 of the lower lever 45 are spaced fromeach other for a greater distance adjacent the stem 17 as shown in FIG.5. The portions 49 and 50 are secured to each other by a channel portion51, which is disposed beneath the stem 17 and connects the bottoms ofthe greater spaced parts of the portions 49 and 50. The upper surface ofthe channel portion 51 is adapted to engage the lower end of the stem17, which has a plastic button 52 (see FIG. 8) therein for engagementwith the upper surface of the channel portion 51 to reduce frictionduring the sliding relation between the lower lever 45 and the stem 17,when the lower lever 45 is moved.

The lower lever 45 is pivotally connected to a handle or upper lever 53by a rivet 54. The handle 53 includes a gripping portion 55 (see FIG. 9)having a pair of bifurcated arms 56 and 57 (see FIG. 5) extending fromopposite sides of the gripping portion 55. The arm 56 has its end 58,which is substantially perpendicular to the arm 56, secured to end 59,which is substantially perpendicular to the arm 57, of the arm 57 by arivet 60.

As shown in FIG. 10, the end 59 of the arm 57 extends beneath the end 58of the arm 56. Thus, only the end 59 of the handle 53 engages the uppersurface of the channel portion 51 of the lower lever 45. As shown inFIG. 5, the arms 56 and 57 of the handle 53 are disposed inside of thebifurcated portions 49 and 50 of the lower lever 45.

The lower portion of the valve stem 17 slidably extends through a guide61, which is formed of a suitable plastic material such as acetal resin,for example. The guide 61 is pivotally supported on the handle 53 byhaving lugs 62 and 63 (see FIG. 6) extending from opposite sidesthereof. The lugs 62 and 63 are disposed in keyhole slots 64 and 65 (seeFIG.

5), respectively, in the bifurcated arms 56 and 57, respectively, of thehandle 53.

As shown in FIG. 7 for the lug 63, each of the guide lugs 62 and 63 hastwo opposite sides closer to each other than the other two oppositesides. As a result, the lugs 62 and 63 are disposed within the keyholeslots 64 and 65 by inserting the narrow portion of each of the lugs 62and 63 through the narrow portion of each of the keyhole slots 64 and65. Then, the guide 61 is rotated 90 so that the guide 61 is bothretained on the handle 53 and pivotally mounted thereon.

As shown in FIG. 6, the guide 61 has a central passage 66 extendingtherethrough and slightly larger in the corners (see FIG. 5) then thediameter of the stem 17. This enables the stem 17 to slide freely with aminimum amount of friction and still be maintained in the desiredvertical plane while being supported. Furthermore, the pivotal mountingof the guide 61 permits the handle 53 to be moved relative to the guide61 and the stem 17 without any binding action on the stem 17.

Thus, when the handle 53 is raised from the position of FIGS. 1 and 13to the position of FIGS. 9 and 11, the lower lever 45 is moved therewithbecause of the pivotal connection through the rivet 54. As the handle 53is raised upwardly from the position of FIGS. 1 and 13 to the positionof FIGS. 9 and 11, the end 59 of the arm 57 of the handle 53 engages theupper surface of the channel portion 51 of the lower lever 45.Accordingly, the handle 53 and the lower lever 45 function as asingle'unit at this time and pivot about the axis of the pin 46. Thelatch plunger 43 is locked at this time due to the position of theretaining pin 41 with respect to the balls 42.

As the handle 53 moves upwardly, the channel portion 51 of the lowerlever 45 engages the valve stem 17 to move it upwardly against the forceof the spring 16 to open the valve 15. This allows fluid to flow fromthe inlet 11 to the outlet 12 of the body 10.

The handle 53 may be held in any one of three positions to providedifferent flow rates by a trigger 67, which is pivotally mounted on therivet 54; thus, the trigger 67 is pivotally connected to both the lowerlever 45 and the handle 53. The trigger 67 includes a pair of bifurcatedears (one shown at 68) disposed on opposite sides of the bifurcatedportions 49 and 50 of the lower lever 45 The bifurcated ears areconnected to each other by a central connecting portion 69.

The trigger 67 is continuously urged counterclockwise about the axis ofthe rivet 54 by a spring 70 (see FIG. which is supported on the rivet 54between the arms 56 and 57 of the handle 53, acting on the connectingportion 69. The counterclockwise movement of the trigger 67 by thespring 70 is limited by engagement of the central connecting portion 69of the trigger 67 with a depending tab 71 on the handle 53.

When it is desired to lock the handle 53 in a position in which thevalve 15 is held open, the central connecting portion 69 of the trigger67 is disposed in engagement with one of the notches or steps of a rack72. The rack 72 is fixed to a guard 73, which is secured to the nozzlebody 10 by rivets 74.

The trigger 67 holds the handle 53 in the desired position until thetank is filled. When this occurs, the opening 37 is blocked by the levelof the fluid in the tank whereby the latch plunger 43 is released fromthe balls 42 due to the diaphragm 32 being moved upwardly because of thereduced pressure in the chamber 35.

When the plunger 43 is released, the force of the spring 16 closes thevalve 15 by moving stem 17 downward against the lower lever 45 to pivotcounterclockwise about the rivet 54. This pulls the plunger 43downwardly.

Because the handle 53 is held'against movement by the trigger 67 beingdisposed in the rack 72, the lower lever 45 pivots counterclockwiseabout the rivet 54 during the downward movement of the stem 17. The pin46 moves to the position of FIG. 12 when the maximum counterclockwisemovement of the lower lever 45 is completed with the handle 53 stillheld by the trigger 67. At this time, the trigger 67 ceases to havesufficient force exerted thereon so that the trigger 67 no longer hassufficient frictional engagement with the notch or step of the rack 72to remain engaged therewith. As a result, the spring 70 pivots thetrigger 67 counterclockwise until the central connecting portion 69 ofthe trigger 67 engages the tab 71 of the handle 53.

When the trigger 67 has its end released from the notch or step of therack 72, the handle 53 falls. As a result, the plunger spring 44 returnsthe plunger 43 to the position of FIGS 1 and 13. This results in thelower lever 45 being returned to the position of FIGS. 1 and 13 whereinthe channel portion 51 engages end 59 of the handle 53.

If the spout 14 has been removed from the tank being gilled, the opening37 is no longer blocked. As a result, the pressure in the chamber 35increases to allow a diaphragm spring 76, which acts on the uppersurface of the diaphragm 32, to move the diaphragm 32 downwardly andreturn the retaining pin 41 to the position shown in FIG. 1 in which theplunger 43 is locked against downward movement.

If the attendant should desire to hold the handle 53 during the entirefilling operation rather than utilizing the trigger 67, the mechanism ofthe present invention still stops flow to the tank when the tank becomesfilled. This is because the lower lever 45 pivots counterclockwise aboutthe rivet 54 when the latch plunger 43 is no longer held by the balls42. Therefore, the spring 16 still moves the stem 17 downwardly againstthe lower lever 45 and causes the lower lever 45 to pivotcounterclockwise about the axis of the rivet 54 even though theattendant is holding the handle 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, the body 10 has a cap 77 threaded thereto. Thespring 16 acts against the cap 77 as shown in FIG. 1. A sealing ring 78is employed between the body 10 and the cap 77 to prevent any leakage offluid at the threaded connection of the cap 77 to the body 10. Thus, anynicks in the body 10 adjacent the cap 77 or in the cap 77 will not causeleakage.

The body 10 also has a plastic fender guard 79 mounted thereon. As shownin FIG. 3, the plastic fender guard 79 fits over the cap 77.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown another form of actuating mechanismfor opening the valve 15 through moving the valve stem 17. The actuatingmechanism includes a lower lever 80, which is connected to the lower endof the plunger 43 by the pin 46. The pin 46 extends through slots 81 and82 (see FIG. 15) in bifurcated portions 83 and 84 of the lower lever toprovide a pin and slot connection between the plunger 43 and the lowerlever 80. Thus, the lower lever 80 can both pivot and slide relative tothe latch plunger 43 in the same manner as the lower lever 45 does.

The bifurcated portions 83 and 83 of the lower lever 80 are spaced fromeach other for a greater distance adjacent the stem 17 as shown in FIG.15. The portions 83 and 84 are secured to each other by a channelportion 84, which is disposed beneath the stem 17 and connects thebottoms of the greater spaced parts of the portions 83 and 84.

The lower lever 80 is pivotally connected to a handle or upper lever 85by a rivet 86. The handle 85 includes a gripping portion 87 (see FIG.16) having a pair of bifurcated arms 88 and 89 (see FIG. 15) extendingfrom opposite sides of the gripping portion 87 and disposed inside ofthe bifurcated portions 83 and 84 of the lower lever 80.

The arms 88 and 89 are held in spaced relation to each other by a spacer90, which is disposed at the ends of the arms 88 and 89 and fixedthereto by means of a rivet 91. The spacer 90 is formed of a suitableplastic material such as acetal resin, for example.

The lower portion of the valve stem 17 slidably extends between thespacer 90 and a roller 92, which is rotatably mounted between the arms88 and 89 on a rivet 93. The roller 92 is formed of a suitable materialsuch as nylon, for example. The roller 92 must be formed of a materialthat is capable of resisting the impact forces when the nozzle isdropped, for example.

The roller 92 is spaced from the spacer 90 a slightly greater distancethan the diameter of the stem 17 to permit movement of the stem 17therebetween. The clearance may vary between 0.005 and 0,030 inch. Thisarrangement enables the stem 17 to slide freely with a minimum amount offriction and still be maintained in the desired vertical plane.

The roller 92, which bears against the stem 17, changes the slidingaction between the stem 17 and the roller 92 into rotation of the roller92. This reduces wear of the valve 17.

The handle 85 may be held in any one of the three positions to providedifferent flow rates by a trigger 94, which is pivotally mounted on therivet 86; thus, the trigger 94 is pivotally connected to both the lowerlever 80 and the handle 85. The trigger 94 includes a pair of bifurcatedears 95 and 96 (see FIG. disposed on opposite sides of the bifurcatedportions 83 and 84 of the lower lever 80 and pivotally mounted on therivot 86. The bifurcated ears 95 and 96 are connected to each other by acentral connecting portion 97 (see FIG. 17).

The trigger 94 is continuously urged counterclockwise about the axis ofthe rivet 86 by a spring 98 (see FIG. 17), which is supported on therivet 86 between the arms 88 and 89 of the handle 85, acting on thecentral connecting portion 97. The counterclockwise movement of thetrigger 94 by the spring 98 is limited by engagement of the centralconnecting portion 97 of the trigger 94 with a depending tab 99 on thehandle 85.

The spring 98 includes a portion 100, which extends beneath the bottomof the stem 17 and above the channel portion 84' of the lower lever 80.Accordingly, the spring 98, which is formed of a suitable material suchas spring tempered stainless steel, for example, engages the bottom ofthe stem 17 rather than the channel portion 84 of the lower lever 80engaging the stem 17. This reduces wear since the channel portion 84' isformed of carbon steel, which wears easier than stainless steel. Thus,it is not necessary for the stem 17 to have the plastic button 52therein as when using the valve actuating mechanism ofFIG. 4.

When the handle 85 is raised from the position of FIG. to the positionof FIGS. 16 and 18, the lower lever 80 is moved therewith because of thepivotal connection through the rivet 86. As the handle 85 is raisedupwardly, the spacer 90 engages the channel portion 84 of the lowerlever 80 through the interposed portion 100 of the trigger spring 98.Accordingly, the handle 85 and the lower lever 80 function as a singleunit at this time and pivot about the stem 17 through the roller 92engaging thereagainst until the bottom of the stem 17 is engaged by thechannel portion 84' acting thereon through the interposed trigger spring98.

When the bottom of the stem 17 is engaged by the channel portion 84' ofthe lower lever 80 through the interposed trigger spring 98, the handle85 and the lower lever 80 pivot about the axis of the pin 46. The latchplunger 43 is locked at this time due to the position of the retainingpin 41 with respect to the balls 42.

As the handle 85 moves upwardly, the channel portion 84 of the lowerlever 80 exerts an upward movement on the stem 17 through the interposedportion 100 of the trigger spring 98 against the force of the spring 16to open the valve 15. This allows fluid to flow from the inlet 11 to theoutlet 12 of the body 10.

When it is desired to lock the handle 85 in the position in which thevalve 15 is held open, the central connecting portion 97 of the trigger94 is disposed in engagement with one of the notches or steps of therack 72. Thus, the trigger 97 holds the handle 85 in the desiredposition until the tank is filled.

When the plunger 43 is released due to the tank filling, the force ofthe spring 16 closes the valve 15 by moving the lower lever 80counterclockwise about the rivet 86. This pulls the plunger 43downwardly.

Because the handle 85 is held against movement by the trigger 94 beingdisposed in the rack 72, the lower lever 80 pivots counterclockwiseabout the rivet 86 during the downward movement of the stem 17. The pin46 moves to the position of FIG. 19 when the maximum counterclockwisemovement of the lower lever 80 is completed with the handle 85 stillheld by the trigger 94.

At this time, the trigger 94 ceases to have sufficient force exertedthereon so that the trigger 94 no longer has sufficient frictionalengagement with the notch or step of the rack 72 to remain engagedtherewith. As a result, the spring 98 pivots the trigger 94counterclockwise until the central connecting portion 97 of the trigger94 engages the tab 99 of the handle 85.

When the trigger 94 has its end released from the notch or step of therack 72, the handle falls. As a result, the plunger spring 44 returnsthe plunger 43 to the position of FIG. 20 wherein the channel portion84' engages the spacer by means of the interposed portion 100 of thetrigger spring 98.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 14-20, the valve stem 17 is guided bythe roller 92 and is maintained in engagement therewith. The roller 92also permits the stem 17 to function as the initial fulcrum or pivotabout which the handle 85 moves during its initial movement until thechannel portion 84' bears against the bottom of the stem 17 through theinterposed portion 100 of the trigger spring 98. When this occurs, allfurther pivotal movement of the handle 85 occurs about the axis of thepin 46.

An advantage of this invention is that the flow of fluid through thenozzle is always shut off when the fluid in the tank reaches apredetermined level irrespective of whether the handle is held by theattendant. Another advantage of this invention is that only one hand ofthe attendant is required to both open the valve and set it for apredetermined flow of fluid. A further advantage of this invention isthat there are positive connections between the various valve actuatinglinkages to insure that the mechanism is reset when the attendantreleases the handle.

For purposes of exemplification, particular embodiments of the inventionhave been shown and described according to the best presentunderstanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes andmodifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereofmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle comprising a body having aninlet and an outlet, a valve in said body for controlling fluid flowfrom said inlet to said outlet, a valve stem connected to said valve,means urging said valve to its closed position, a plunger slidablymounted in said body, means to retain said plunger in a first positionuntil the fluid in a container being filled by the nozzle reaches apredetermined level, a lever continuously connected to said plunger, ahandle connected only to said lever, said handle being pivotallyconnected to said lever, said handle having a portion extending towardsaid lever and beyond the pivotal connection with said lever and lyingadjacent thereto, guide means on said portion guiding said stem, saidlever moving said stem to open said valve when said handle is moved, andsaid valve urging means moving said valve to its closed position whensaid retaining means releases said plunger, whereby side thrust on theplunger is substantially reduced and the end of the valve stem is guidedthus resulting in an improved start and shut-off operation.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1 including means to retain said handlein a position in which said valve is held in an open position.

3. The nozzle according to claim 2 in which said retaining means ispivotally connected to said handle at the pivotal connection of saidhandle to said lever.

4. The nozzle according to claim 3 in which said body has a guardassociated therewith and said guard has means supported thereby tocooperate with said retaining means to hold said retaining means in adesired position.

5. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said stem extends throughsaid handle, said guide means slidably supporting said stem irrespectiveof the position of said handle, and said support means is pivotallyconnected to said handle.

6. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said lever is connected tosaid plunger by a pin and slot arrangement whereby said lever can bothpivot and slide relative to said plunger.

7. The nozzle according to claim 6 in which said stern extends throughsaid handle, said guide means slidably supporting said stem irrespectiveof the position of said handle, and said supporting means is pivotallyconnected to said handle.

8. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said lever supports saidhandle when said valve is in its closed position and said plunger is inits first position.

9. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said stem has a non-metallicbottom end and said lever has a portion engaging the non-metallic bottomend of said item.

10. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said stern extends throughsaid handle, and said guide means is supported thereon and slidablyengages said stem irrespective of the position of said handle.

11. The nozzle according to claim 1 including a cap threaded to saidbody and acting on said urging means remote from said valve, and meansdisposed between said cap and said body to form a fluid seal adjacentthe threaded connection.

12. The nozzle according to claim 4 including resilient means acting onsaid retaining means to urge it to an ineffective position and saidresilient means having a portion disposed between said stem and saidlever.

13. The nozzle according to claim 6 in which said stem extends throughsaid handle, and said guide means is supported thereon and slidablyengages said stem irrespective of the position of said handle.

14. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the lever has a channelportion, the extending portion of the handle extending into the channelportion.

15. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the guide means comprisea pair of spaced rollers mounted in the extending portion of the handle.

16. The nozzle as set forth in claim 15 wherein, the spaced rollers areof a non-metallic material.

17. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the guide means comprisea block supported within the extending portion of the handle and has anopening therein to receive the valve stem.

18. The noule as set forth in claim 17 wherein, the block is of anon-metallic material.

19. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the extending portion ofthe handle comprises bifurcated arms.

20. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the valve stem isslidably mounted in the body to open said valve, and means disposedbetween said stem and said body, said means being formed of a materialhaving a low coefficient of friction.

21. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a spout is connected tosaid body, said connection including means to allow said spout to bedisconnected from said body when a predetermined force is exerted onsaid spout.

22. The nozzle as set forth in claim 21 wherein, the means comprises ashearable portion.

23. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a spout is connected tosaid body, said spout being surrounded by a spring of a square crosssection.

24. The nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said handle retainingmeans is provided with a resilient means acting on said retaining meansto urge it to an ineffective position.

25. The nozzle as set forth in claim 24 in which said resilient meanscomprises a leaf spring mounted on said pivotal connection with one endthereof bearing against said handle retaining means and the other endbearing against the lever.

1. An automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle comprising a body having aninlet and an outlet, a valve in said body for controlling fluid flowfrom said inlet to said outlet, a valve stem connected to said valve,means urging said valve to its closed position, a plunger slidablymounted in said body, means to retain said plunger in a first positionuntil the fluid in a container being filled by the nozzle reaches apredetermined level, a lever continuously connected to said plunger, ahandle connected only to said lever, said handle being pivotallyconnected to said lever, said handle having a portion extending towardsaid lever and beyond the pivotal connection with said lever and lyingadjacent thereto, guide means on said portion guiding said stem, saidlever moving said stem to open said valve when said handle is moved, andsaid valve urging means moving said valve to its closed position whensaid retaining means releases said plunger, whereby side thrust on theplunger is substantially reduced and the end of the valve stem is guidedthus resulting in an improved start and shut-off operation.
 2. Thenozzle according to claim 1 including means to retain said handle in aposition in which said valve is held in an open position.
 3. The nozzleaccording to claim 2 in which said retaining means is pivotallyconnected to said handle at the pivotal connection of said handle tosaid lever.
 4. The nozzle according to claim 3 in which said body has aguard associated therewith and said guard has means supported thereby tocooperate with said retaining means to hold said retaining means in adesired position.
 5. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said stemextends through said handle, said guide means slidably supporting saidstem irrespective of the position of said handle, and said support meansis pivotally connected to said handle.
 6. The nozzle according to claim1 in which said lever is connected to said plunger by a pin and slotarrangement whereby said lever can both pivot and slide relative to saidplunger.
 7. The nozzle according to claim 6 in which said stem extendsthrough said handle, said guide means slidably supporting said stemirrespective of the position of said handle, and said supporting meansis pivotally connected to said handle.
 8. The nozzle according to claim1 in which said lever supports said handle when said valve is in itsclosed position and said plunger is in its first position.
 9. The nozzleaccording to claim 1 in which said stem has a non-metallic bottom endand said lever has a portion engaging the non-metallic bottom end ofsaid item.
 10. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said stemextends through said handle, and said guide means is supported thereonand slidably engages said stem irrespective of the position of saidhandle.
 11. The nozzle according to claim 1 including a cap threaded tosaid body and acting on said urging means remote from said valve, andmeans disposed between said cap and said body to form a fluid sealadjacent the threaded connection.
 12. The nozzle according to claim 4including resilient means acting on said retaining means to urge it toan ineffective position and said resilient means having a portiondisposed between said stem and said lever.
 13. The nozzle according toclaim 6 in which said stem extends through said handle, and said guidemeans is supported thereon and slidably engages said stem irrespectiveof the position of said handle.
 14. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1wherein, the lever has a channel portion, the extending portion of thehandle extending into the channel portion.
 15. The nozzle as set forthin claim 1 wherein, the guide means comprise a pair of spaced rollersmounted in the extending portion of the handle.
 16. The nozzle as setforth in claim 15 wherein, the spaced rollers are of a non-metallicmaterial.
 17. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the guidemeans comprise a block supported within the extending portion of thehandle and has an opening therein to receive the valve stem.
 18. Thenozzle as set forth in claim 17 wherein, the block is of a non-metallicmaterial.
 19. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the extendingportion of the handle comprises bifurcated arms.
 20. The nozzle as setforth in claim 1 wherein, the valve stem is slidably mounted in the bodyto open said valve, and means disposed between said stem and said body,said means being formed of a material having a low coefficient offriction.
 21. The nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a spout isconnected to said body, said connection including means to allow saidspout to be disconnected from said body when a predetermined force isexerted on said spout.
 22. The nozzle as set forth in claim 21 wherein,the means comprises a shearable portion.
 23. The nozzle as set forth inclaim 1 wherein, a spout is connected to said body, said spout beingsurrounded by a spring of a square cross section.
 24. The nozzle as setforth in claim 2 in which said handle retaining means is provided with aresilient means acting on said retaining means to urge it to anineffective position.
 25. The nozzle as set forth in claim 24 in whichsaid resilient means comprises a leaf spring mounted on said pivotalconnection with one end thereof bearing against said handle retainingmeans and the other end bearing against the lever.